Expected Useful Life Of Solar Panels

Degradation rates are used in solar site assessments in order to estimate the energy production over the life of a system and to calculate the payback period and return on investment.

Expected useful life of solar panels.

Warranties don t necessarily equal life expectancy but they are a good place to start estimating. When you re considering investing in a solar installation wondering how long home solar panels last is a question that inevitably pops up. Solar power is having its hockey stick moment. After 25 years your solar panels won t necessarily need to be replaced.

Those panels could retain 96 of their production capabilities after 20 years. Most solar panel companies will provide a standard 25 year warranty for the expected life expectancy of the solar panels. By the end of 2015 an estimated 222 gigawatts worth of solar energy had been installed worldwide. A typical central inverter for a pv installation will last between 10 and 15 years and thus will need to be replaced at some point during the lifetime of your solar panels.

An inspection of your solar panels may also include an inspection of the other equipment involved in a solar installation namely your solar inverters and roof racking system. Solar panels typically come with 25 year performance warranties and 10 to 12 year limited warranties. To put your mind at ease studies have proven solar panels can last anywhere between 25 to 30 years or sometimes more. Performance warranties guarantee that the power output will decline at a rate set by the manufacturer usually about 0 7 each year.

However their ability to absorb sunlight will be reduced.